Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
Here’s my Perfect Picture Book Friday choice:
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
Written and Illustrated by Bob Shea
Disney Hyperion Books, 2013
Suitable for: ages preschool-up
Themes: Friendship, Jealousy, Diversity
Opening Lines: Things are a lot different around here since that Unicorn moved in. I thought I was pretty cool when I rode my bike to school. (Oh you need to turn the page to see what Unicorn is up to! Mean I know for not telling .. I love how a little color is sprinkled into the text for Goat and Unicorn!)
Synopsis (from the book summary): Envy turns to admiration and finally friendship for Goat and Unicorn.
Link to Resources: This book is not message-y at all, but it’s a great one to use to discuss how each person has her own unique personality traits. The story opens up conversations about how you may think you know how a person feels, but their life may not be what it seems. Here’s a lesson on Being Friends.
Here’s a book trailer:
http://youtu.be/WATQSmKQ2eU
Why I Like This Book: I found Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great on a preschool reading list. We’ve read the book multiple times (and likely kept it longer than suitable from the library). It’s a fun performance book and has a few jokes (just my style) that Bob Shea can get away with! I also love the use of “pretty” in the title.
Find more PPBF at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
The trailer is quite a hook. Thanks for sharing your sparkly find. Who can resust a technicolor unicorn?
Goat and Unicorn are a great match. They are difficult to resist.
Taste my cloven justice! is one of our favorite family mottoes!
Oh, let’s not get Enzo started on that line. It is a funny one. And, a great family motto.
What energy and pizzazz! Thank you for this burst of fun. I just realized that the goat has 2 horns and the unicorn has 1 😉
Good point Sue. ha ha. Enzo hasn’t thought to count the horns, but he certainly counted the cupcakes falling from the sky. Energy and pizzazz are correct!
Funny, when I quickly clicked on your link I thought the book title was “Unicorn Thinks He’s a Goat.” I chuckled when I saw the story included a goat that was jealous. What a hilarious read for kids. I can understand why Enzo wanted to read it again and again. The video has pizzazz.
“Pretty great” choice, Stacy. I like books that kids AND the reading parents can enjoy, and this is one of those.
Yes. “pretty great” 🙂
Sounds like a good one, Stacy! How many times have I thought I knew how a person felt, when it wasn’t the case. Good lesson.
Goat shares a great lesson AND he’s a wonderful main character. A little unexpected fun.
I saw Bob Shea presenting this at Books of Wonder – so much fun. I LOVE GOAT!
Oh, how awesome to see the author/illustrator share the story.
Funny how I can think of kids at my son’s school that fit one or the other of these characters. Very spot on, eh? Love the trailer! I’m hooked!
Hope you were able to find it. Goat is really a cool character.
Oh my gosh, this book thoroughly cracks me up. I think we had to recheck it 3 or 4 times because my five-year-old thought it was so hilarious. Great pick, Stacy!
Yes. It’s very funny. I really liked Goat’s magic trick too.
I have yet to read it – but just the premise of a goat and unicorn … OK – going to put it on hold right now.
Hope you were able to find it Sue. Yes. Really makes one think as a writer to mix up their characters. It’s an odd combination, but they work great together.
Ordering now! 😉 Well – Im asking mom to order 😉
Hope your mom said yes or maybe you can find it at the library.
This book looks like tons of fun, Stacy – if the trailer is anything to go by 🙂 I was hooked by the title alone! Thanks so much for adding it to our list!
I know that’s a great title!
Love Bob Shea but haven’t read this one! Cute trailer It’s on hold at my library as of one minute ago!
I know your librarian hooked you up!
Oh! This looks like an excellent find! I’ve not come across it anywhere! But I will be on the lookout now for sure! Thanks!
Hope you can find it. It’s a fun read.
Read this one over the summer – TOTALLY cute and fun. Thanks for adding it to the list!
It’s a fun one Joanne. I’m glad it was recommended to us.